CMMI and Southern Brittany University Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Strengthen Cyprus–France Scientific Cooperation

The Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI) and the French University of Southern Brittany (UBS) signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the sidelines of the high-level conference “Riding the Wave: Advancing the EU Ocean Pact through Science, Innovation and Cooperation”, organised in the framework of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Mr. Zacharias Siokouros, Chief Executive Officer of CMMI, and Professor David Menier, President of Southern Brittany University, in the presence of representatives from the French Embassy in Cyprus. Mr. Éric Tosatti, Director of the French Institute of Cyprus, attended the ceremony on behalf of the Ambassador of France to Cyprus, H.E. Ms Clélia Chevrier-Kolačko.

The agreement builds upon the strong collaboration developed between CMMI and UBS within the framework of the EU-funded Horizon project “AXOLOTL” [GA number: 101158669], through which both institutions have been actively cooperating in the fields of marine and maritime research, innovation and scientific exchange. The MoU reflects the partner’s shared ambition to continue and expand this cooperation through future joint initiatives, research activities and academic collaboration.

The signature of this agreement constitutes yet another testimonial of the strengthening relationship between Cyprus and France in the fields of scientific diplomacy, research and innovation. It comes in the context of the recent official visit of French President, Emmanuel Macron, to Cyprus and the signature of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the French Republic, aimed at reinforcing bilateral cooperation in key sectors including innovation, education and research.

By formalising this partnership during the “Riding the Wave” conference, CMMI and UBS reaffirm their common commitment to advancing European cooperation for sustainable ocean governance, marine innovation and science-based solutions addressing global ocean challenges.